On Wednesday, the City of Airdrie's vaccination and rapid testing policy took effect.
 
City Manager, Paul Schulz, underlined the policy was introduced in mid-October. He estimates that just under 90 per cent of city staff are vaccinated. Those who have not yet been vaccinated are compelled to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The testing cost is paid-out-of-pocket by employees. 
 
"There are 42 different business units that range from people that work operationally, whether it's clearing roads, or parks, to recreation centers, to folks that are still in our working from home program," Schulz said.  "The only times they are required to provide the rapid testing is when they are coming into a city facility or dealing with a city customer."
 
Employees of the city include protective services, such as fire and municipal enforcement, building inspections, public works to recreation workers, as well as administrative staff in various city buildings all fall under the mandate. Those who are 
 
Schulz said that while the decision was a difficult one, considering vaccine mandates continue to be divisive, he said that city employees are given a choice because not everyone may believe in vaccines and he does not see that changing.
 
"We made a deliberate choice to offer staff an option. It is difficult because no matter what the percentages are, it is a divisive issue in our society, in our community," he said.  "It was a decision we didn't take lightly, but [we] just felt strongly that being that our business is [the] community, we need to do our part to keep both citizens and employees safe."
 
"Our business is really providing service to the community and I do think we take a leadership role in leading the way in and doing our part to get the community through this pandemic."
 
As of November 29th, 2021, 87.8 per cent of Airdrie's population aged 12 and up has had their first dose, while 84.4 per cent is fully vaccinated. Provincially, 88.7 per cent of Albertans aged 12 and up have had their first dose, while 83.8 per cent are fully vaccinated.
 

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